Circular knitting machines



July 2, 1963 c. F. MANGER ETAL 3,095,719

' CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed March 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fi J,

July 2, 1963 c. F. MANGER ETAL 3,095,

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed March 22. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 2, 1963 c. F. MANGER ETAL 3,095,719

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed March 22, 1960 v a Sheets-Sheet s 3,095,719 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Charles F. Manger and George A. Smith, Leicester, England, assignors to The Bentley Engineering Company Limited Filed Mar. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 16,845 Claims priority, appiication Great Britain Mar. 26, 1959 9 Claims. (Cl. 66-133) This invention is for improvements in or relating to circular knitting machines and is concerned with an improved form of control means for a yarn feeder employed for supplying to the needles a yarn additional to the main yarn. In the knitting of hosiery additional yarns are employed for strengthening or other purposes and usually such yarns are required to be incorporated over part only of the circumference of the fabric at certain places as for instance above the heel and along the foot bottom. Feeder control mechanism is accordingly provided to cause a feeder for the additional yarn to be brought into and out of action at appropriate times during each course of knitting to confine the feeding of the additional yarn to a predetermined group of needles extending around part only of the needle circle. In certain circumstances it may however be required also at other times to maintain the feeder continuously in action. The invention has for one of its objects to provide a simple and effective means whereby a yarn feeder as aforesaid may have its operation varied to cause it to remain in action continuously for predetermined periods when required.

In accordance With the invention there is provided, in or for a circular knitting machine, a yarn feeder and mechanism whereby such feeder may be moved into and out of active position intermittently to feed the yarn to the needles around a part only of the knitting circle, and means associated with such mechanism whereby the actuation thereof to move the feeder out of feeding position may be interrupted when required. Thus the feeder may be operated for intermittent actuation in normal manner and when desired may be caused to remain in feeding position for a predetermined number of courses. By this means the additional yarn can be caused to be fed to the needles during reciprocatory knitting of a pouch and/or during the knitting of the foot of a hose, for example towards the toe end thereof.

The mechanism for causing intermittent operation of the yarn feeder may conveniently be modified to incorporate a lost motion connection and have a movable member associated therewith and adapted to be movable between positions in which lost motion is respectively permitted and precluded. When the intermittent actuation of the feeder is required such member is moved to preclude lost motion in the connection and when the feeder is required to continue to remain in feeding position the movable member is moved to a position in which the lost motion is permitted in such manner that the intermittent operating mechanism on its return stroke will not withdraw the feeder from active feeding position.

In a convenient construction the invention is applied to feeder control mechanism wherein a feeder is anchored to a pivoted plate and has a stem which is slidably engaged in a pivot post about the axis of which the feeder as a whole is caused to swing when the pivoted plate is swung between two limiting positions corresponding to the active and inactive settings of the feeder. The pivoted plate is operated for swinging movement by a cam operated slide member, and in accordance with the invention a lost motion connection is provided between the slide member and the pivot plate and a further member cooperates therewith to preclude lost motion in such conates atent "ice nection when required. This may .be arranged by having a pin on the pivoted plate engaging in a longitudinal slot in the slide member and having associated with such slot a pivoted masking plate mounted on the slide and slot-ted to co-operate with the pin with its slot formed with a lateral extension into which the pin can ride when the masking plate is moved to mask the slot in the slide member. The lateral extension of the slot in the masking plate is at that end of the slot at which the pin is positioned when the feeder is in operative position so that as the slide member reciprccates it tends during its for ward movement to urge the feeder into active feeding position at all times but when the masking plate is moved to bring its longitudinal slot into registry with that in the slide member the return movement of the slide member will not cause the feeder to be withdrawn since the pin can ride along the slot in the slide member.

While the invention is applicable to use with any auxiliary yarn feeder, it has a particularly useful application to a feeder used for supplying an additional yarn used for forming terry loops in the foot and heel portions of socks and similar hose, that is, loops drawn of a larger size than those of the main yarn and caused to project in the manner of a pile from one face, usually the inside face, of the fabric. Such terry loop formations provide extra substance with absorbent properties and are mainly required in the sole and heel and toe portions of certain forms of hose, for example hose made specifically for heavy duty purposes. The terry loops are formed by orthodox means and their extent of incorporation in the fabric is determined by introduction and withdrawal of the feeder for the terry loop yarn at appropriate times. In applying the invention mechanism for introducing and withdrawing such feeder at part course intervals is modified to enable the feeder to be maintained in action when required for example for feeding the terry loop yarn to heel and toe pouches knitted by reciprocation and/ or for incorporation in complete courses in the foot.

A preferred form of feeder control mechanism in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a feeder mechanism and part of its operating means,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in FIG- URE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the parts shown in FIG- URE 1 as seen looking in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of some of the parts shown in FIG. 2 but in a different setting,

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the parts shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the chain dotted line in FIG. 4 in the direction of arrows BB,

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of the feeder and associated parts shown in FIG. 2, but in a different setting, and

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 but in the setting shown in FIG. 2.

In the drawings the mechanism shown is particularly adapted to control of a feeder used for supplying an additional yarn for forming terry loops in the foot and heel portions of socks and similar hose, but it will readily be appreciated that the yarn mechanism is applicable to the control of other auxiliary yarn feeders.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a mounting bracket 10 provides a small platform 11 and upstanding and depending lugs or brackets 12 and 13 and has secured to it an overhanging fixed bracket 14, all for the mounting of the feeder and associated parts. Pivoted to the platform on a screw 15 is a pivot plate 16 formed with a bearing olfset from its pivotal axis in which a stub spindle 17 can turn freely, such stub spindle forming a support for a feeder arm 18, which passes diametrically through the stub spindle and is secured thereto.

The feeder arm 18 swings about the axis of a further stub spindle 19 through which it is slidable, the stem of stub spindle 19 being pivoted in a bearing member formed by a portion 20 of the overhanging bracket 14. Thus when the pivot plate 16 is turned about screw 15 the feeder arm 18 is swung about the stub spindle 19 and caused to slide therethrough, having a swinging adjustment between an active feeding setting, shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, wherein the pivot plate 16 engages an abutment screw 21 on the lug 12, and an inactive setting turned clockwise through about 45, shown in FIG. 6, wherein an edge 54 of pivot plate 16 will contact a stop screw 55 shown in FIG. 2.

Rocking movement of pivot plate 16 is effected by a cam operated slide member 22 FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 formed with an elongated slot 23 FIGS. 6 and 7 in which there engages a pin 24 depending from the underside of pivot plate 16. The slide member has pivoted to it at 25 a masking plate 26 formed with a slot 27 FIGS. 6 and 7 corresponding in size and shape to slot 23 and having a lateral extension 28 at its right hand end FIG. 4. The masking plate is biassed by a spring 31 in a direction to cause it to mask the slot 23 and is capable of being moved to an unmasking position by a lever 34 pivoted at 35 to lug 13 (see FIG. 1) and carrying an adjustable abutment screw 36 to co-operate with a cam face 38 on the masking plate 26 FIG. 4. The lever 34 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 as being operated by a flexible cable 39 which may be operated at suitable times from a control drum, to withdraw the lever against the action of an engaging spring 37. The control drum, cam means, cam shaft and yieldable slipping clutch (not shown) do not form part of the present invention.

The slide member 22 is connected by a link 29 to an upstanding cam operated lever 30 (part of which only is shown) which is caused to rock at timed intervals to operate the slide member 22, see FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferably the cam means operating the lever 30 has a positive throw both ways and is arranged on a cam shaft which can be shogged endwise to bring the cam means into and out of operation when required. A yieldable slipping clutch may be incorporated in the drive to the cam means as a safeguard against damage to parts in case of undue resistance being encountered in the operation of the feeder due for example to maladjustment of parts.

For the knitting of hose having terry fabric incorporated in the heel, toe and foot it is required that the mechanism shall be capable of positioning the feeder 18 in any of three positions at the appropriate time. The three positions are shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. FIG. 2 shows two active positions of which the position indicated by the dotted lines 18a is what may be termed the heel and toe feeding position, whilst the position indicated by solid lines 18b is a feeding position required to introduce the yarn to the needles in order to obtain a good pick up of the additional yarn. At the commencement of the heel and toe (assuming terry fabric is knitted above the heel) the feeder is moved from the pick up position 18b to the dotted position 18a in order that knitting in both directions i.e. knitting by reciprocation such as for heels and toes may be achieved. The third position of the feeder is the out of action or trapper position shown in FIG. 6.

Whilst lever 34 is inoperative, the backward and forward movements of lever 30, FIG. 1, position the feeder 13 alternately at trapping position and the extreme pickup position. In order to obtain the feeding position 18a, FIG. 2, additional means is provided as now to be described.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, a lever 41 pivoted at 42 to bracket 10 and having a lateral arm 45, carries at its other end an adjustable abutment screw 43. The latter forms a stop to engage an edge of pivot plate 16 to determine the positioning of feeder 18 in the setting 18a. The lever 41 is urged by a spring 46 towards the position of engagement with the pivot plate 16 in which it is arrested by a stop 49, and is moved in the opposite direction by a flexible cable 44 (the sheath of which is anchored to bracket 14) coupled to arm 45 and operated from the main control drum of the knitting machine. Also pivoted at 42 to bracket 10 is a further lever 51 coupled by a link 56 to the lever 30 so as to be rocked thereby. To co-operate with an edge portion 52 of lever 51, a peg 53 is fixed to the pivot plate 16 so that as lever 51 reaches the right hand extremity of its travel, it will engage the peg 53 and rock the pivot plate 16 slightly to bring its edge 50 against the abutment screw 43. Assuming an article of hose is required to be knitted having a portion of terry fabric above the heel and in the heel half only and having the heel, foot bottom and toe of terry fabric with a plain fabric instep, the sequence of events would be as follows:

To knit terry fabric in a portion above the heel the lever 30 is brought into action at an appropriate time by shogging its operating cam, and the lever 34 is held inactive by its cable 39. Thereupon the feeder 18 is caused to occupy first the pick-up position and then the trapping position for timed periods during each course, due to the previously described action of the slide member 22. At the commencement of knitting the heel, the feeder is moved to the position shown dotted at 18:: in FIG. 2 in the following manner: As the lever 30 FIG. 1 moves forward on the final course of the area above the heel the lever 34 is brought into action to allow screw 36 to cam the masking plate 26 to the position of FIG. 4 and allow the lever 30 to move backwards on its next stroke without withdrawing the feeder. At the same time cable 44 is released so that the lever 41, FIG. 2, is moved by the spring 46 up to its abutment 49, in which position the nose of the screw 43 in lever 41 is a small distance away from the edge 50 of the pivot plate 16. Now as lever 36 moves backwards it will act through the link 56 to pull the lever 51 counter-clockwise until at the end part of its movement the edge 52 of lever 51 will contact the peg 53 on the pivot plate 16 and turn the plate until the edge 50 engages the nose of screw 43. This moves the feeder 18 to the position 18a for the knitting of the heel. At the completion of the backward movement of lever 30 its cam is shogged to render the lever 30 inactive as previously described.

On completion of the heel the lever 30 is brought into action again and the lever 34 is moved to its inactive position, the cable 44 being also operated to swing lever 41 to the position in FIG. 2. The slide member 22 will first move forward Without affecting the mechanism as the feeder is already in feeding position. At the end of the forward stroke the lost motion mechanism will resume its masked position as in FIG. 7. Thus on the return or backward stroke of lever 30 the pivot plate 16 will be partially rotated in a clockwise direction to carry the feeder 18 to the trapping position shown in FIG. 6. The feeder will then be caused to occupy in turn the trapping and feed or pick up positions during each course to incorporate the terry yarn only iii the foot bottom. When the toe portion is reached the mechanism is operated in the same manner as at the commencement of the heel, the feeder 18 being brought to the position 18a and retained therein during the formation of the toe pocket. Afterwards the feeder is moved to the trapping position of FIG. 6 and the lever 30 is rendered inactive by shogging of its cam.

If complete circular courses of terry fabric are required adjacent to the toe pouch, the lever 34 is rendered operative to cause its screw 36 to engage the cam face 38 on pivot plate 26, at an appropriate point before commencement of the knitting of the toe pouch.

What we claim is:

1. An auxiliary yarn feeder control mechanism for a knitting machine comprising a yarn feeder, means for intermittently moving said yarn feeder into and out of a position in which the yarn is fed to part only of a set of needles arranged in a circle in the knitting machine for circular knitting, means for interrupting the firstnamed means as to its actuation for moving the feeder out of feeding position and means, including a platform, and brackets, for mounting said feeder on a knitting machine, a pivot plate screw-pivoted to said platform and formed with a bearing offset from its pivotal aXis in which a stub spindle carrying a feeder arm turns freely to rocket about the axis of a second stub spindle through which it is slidab'le, and a slotted slide member with an associated masking plate for rocking the pivot plate to opcrate the feeder.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein a cam operated slide member effects swinging movement of the pivot plate and a lost motion connection is disposed between the slide member and the pivot plate, there being also provided means to preclude lost motion in thelost motion connection when required.

3. A combination according to claim 2 wherein the lost motion connection is a pin and slot connection whereof the slotted part has a movable masking plate formed with a similar slot to engage with the pin and also formed with a lateral extension of its slot which on engagement with the pin precludes the lost motion in the connection.

4. A combination according to claim 3 wherein the pin is on the pivot plate and the slot is in the cam operated slide member and the masking plate is pivoted to the slide member and has its lateral extension at that end of the slot at which the pin is positioned when the feeder is in operative feeding position.

5. A combination according to claim 3 wherein the masking plate is yieldably urged into masking position and a movable control member is provided to move it out of such position.

6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein the masking plate is carried by the slide member and the said movable control member is arranged to exert a oamming action on the masking plate to move it out of masking position during movement of the plate with the slide member.

7. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the feeder has a plurality of alternative active feeding positions and an inactive position, and the mechanism is adapted to move said feeder intermittently into and out of one of said feeding positions.

8. A combination according to claim 7 wherein the feeder has two active feeding positions and means for moving it into and retaining it continuously in another of its feeding positions.

9. A combination according to claim 1 comprising two levers co-operating with the pivot plate to define an intermediate setting of the plate corresponding to a second feeding position of the feeder, and control means for actuating such levers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,083,394 Page et a1. June 8, 1937 2,161,880 Miller et al. June 13, 1939 2,213,143 McAdams Aug. 27, 1940 2,231,399 Thurston Feb. 11, 1941 2,366,381 Bromley et al Jan. 2, 1945 2,477,495 Peberdy July 26, 1949 

1. AN AUXILIARY YARN FEEDER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A KNITTING MACHINE COMPRISING A YARN FEEDER, MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY MOVING SAID YARN FEEDER INTO AND OUT OF A POSITION IN WHICH THE YARN IS FED TO PART ONLY OF A SET OF NEEDLES ARRANGED IN A CIRCLE IN THE KNITTING MACHINE FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING, MEANS FOR INTERRUPTING THE FIRSTNAMED MEANS AS TO ITS ACTUATION FOR MOVING THE FEEDER OUT OF FEEDING POSITION AND MEANS, INCLUDING A PLATFORM AND BRACKETS, FOR MOUNTING SAID FEEDER ON A KNITTING MACHINE, A PIVOT PLATE SCREW-PIVOTED TO SAID PLATFORM AND FORMED WITH A BEARING OFFSET FROM ITS PIVOTAL AXIS IN WHICH A STUB SPINDLE CARRYING A FEEDER ARM TURNS FREELY TO ROCKET ABOUT THE AXIS OF A SECOND STUB SPINDLE THROUGH WHICH IT IS SLIDABLE, AND A SLOTTED SLIDE MEMBER WITH AN ASSOCIATED MASKING PLATE FOR ROCKING THE PIVOT PLATE TO OPERATE THE FEEDER. 